Soul Seed Travel Guide: A retreat recommendation for every month of the year

With the excitement of Christmas and the dreaded back to work blues settling in, what a perfect time to book a healthy holiday! Here’s some wellbeing inspiration in our guide to a retreat recommendation for every month of the year.

Do you dream of combining the passion of skiing and snowboarding with the restorative balm of yoga and meditation? Rockin’ the slopes and carving some inspirational yoga into your holiday? Outside there is ice, snow, powder and breathtaking mountains. Inside the beautiful stone and wooden chalet there are log fires, bespoke rooms and congenial communal spaces lit by candles, warm smiles and tall tales of mountain adventures. Delicious vegetarian meals, home made breads, juices and house wines are served daily as the sun rises and sets over the mountains of the Oisans ranges.

This is an ancient village where time has been preserved in the twists of the timbers that support the tumbling tiles and wood piles high beside the cow shed door and yet, we can potter up the road and with one ski-lift are deposited into the heart of one of Europe’s favourite ski areas, Alpe d’Huez.

Pumping pistes and the life affirming backdrop of the alpine scenery make this a retreat that offers both peace and passion for the ultimate ski-yoga getaway. Our yoga space looks over the mountains, with eyes drawn towards the rising sun or moon, high above the valley floor. This environment is perfect to breathe deeply of life, to restore and revitalise as the practice soothes tired muscles, calms the mind and prepares the body lovingly for the skiing in your day ahead. The company is warm, like minded and welcoming, with participants returning annually to experience the dream fusion of a holiday that facilitates skiing in one of the world’s top resorts and the yoga instruction of a senior inspirational teacher.

The village is a spring board into the ski resort of Alpe D’Huez – one fast lift takes you into the heart of the ski area. If you are new to skiing, you can book ski school or private instruction and can enjoy staying local as you learn this exhilarating sport. More experienced skiers might choose to buy a lift pass for the whole resort and we offer a ski orientation tour for the first three mornings for those who like to ski in a group and would like to get to know what the mountain can offer. Boots, skis and boards can be hired in the village. Ski guides can be hired for off-piste adventures. It is a five minute walk to the slopes or there is a free navette bus.

Build your own week of food and fun! Join us for a retreat focused on the delicious organic gourmet vegetarian cuisine we call Gaia Gourmet. This will be a casual week to experience The Sanctuary at Two Rivers in your own way; the only thing you need to show up for is shade grown organic Costa Rican coffee at 7am, a well balanced breakfast made from farm-to-table yumminess at 9am, a three-course lunch with a scrumptious vegan gluten free dessert at 2pm and a rich and nourishing, easy to digest dinner at 7pm. Everything else is a la carte!

The Sanctuary at Two Rivers – Liz Lindh, is a 40 acre tropical paradise with swimming pool, waterfalls, and rivers, hidden hammocks, gardens, and hiking trails. Tapping into your natural roots is a great way to nourish the soul. So we built an eco-village in order to do just that! But we did it cool, modern and chic.

Time = Energy = Love. This equation is how we approach health and wellness through the Culinary Arts & Sciences. Allow us to take you on a magic carpet dining ride! You will never believe that we could blast your taste buds on that wild of a journey.

You can add-on optional morning Yoga and afternoon meditation with Liz Lindh ($20 per class), healing wellness treatments ($40-$100) or local excursions: to the beach, snorkeling, zip-lining, surfing, hiking, horseback riding and shopping.

Escape to Spain for 5 nights and immerse yourself in warm sunshine, ‘drink’ fresh clean sea air, feast on delicious tasty food, open your body in twice daily amazing yoga and hike in stunning natural scenery. And, if you fancy exploring further, you can go biking and horse trekking, cook up a delicious paella lunch or simply chill in the sun.

Our yoga and hiking retreats in Spain are the perfect blend of two complementing exercises. Whilst hiking is great for the heart and lungs it can create tight leg muscles and an aching back but, with the addition of delicious yoga to lengthen, open and strengthen your posture, you’ll loosen your hamstrings, build strength, mobilise joints and deepen your breathing. The simple fusion of yoga and hiking on one retreat means you receive a complete boost to your health and fitness.

This rejuvenate and fitness balance retreat in Ibiza is for you if you are feeling a little unmotivated, tired, or lost and are looking to relight that spark, ignite your energy and bring back your zest for life. We have specially created this well balanced, holistic retreat using our deep collective knowledge and experience. We have balanced yoga, fitness, meditation, nutrition and clean eating in this perfect retreat package. This is not a bootcamp, but an intelligent, conscious way to exercise. Our experienced trainer will take you through a range of techniques and practices, to help you find what feels right for you and your body – as we all know, everybody has a different story! Cultivate strength, confidence and body awareness for life.

We will set your body, mind and soul into a conscious, present and loving state that will springboard your onward life journey and empower you to take on life’s ups and downs. By creating a positive foundation to lead a healthy, balanced life, you can be the best you can be. Be assured that this is very much still a yoga retreat, with a fitness element smoothly included, just rather from the point of view of holistic wellness – opening our minds to the bigger picture. We will enjoy yoga every day – on the fitness mornings, it will take the form of an elongated stretch and meditation class – and then pure yoga flow for 3 days. In the evenings, we will have a yin style practise or a take part in beautiful hike through the beautiful Ibiza countryside.

Our retreat is held inside the beautiful whitewashed walls of Can Amonita, in the stunning countryside of north Ibiza. The unique sanctuary reflects the beauty and peace of this side of the island with a beautiful outdoor practice space.

Join us for our newest addition of a YOGA + FOOD + FORM retreat. Besides a daily yoga class (and on this Amalfi retreat, it will be a class overlooking the sea!), we will also enjoy many walks around the breathtaking scenery on the Amalfi Coast as well as a day walking one of Italy’s most renowned scenic hikes. A meditation walk will be included in the week as well. “FLAVORS” – We’ll not only balance the week with the healthy “form” part of the retreat, but also with learning about and experiencing first hand the amazing flavors of this region. Each day we’ll be able to enjoy mouth-watering cuisine, as well as take part in tastings from wine and olive oil, to cheeses, pastries, and lemons. From award-winning restaurants to family farms and kitchens, learning and enjoying the food will be an added bonus to working up an appetite during our classes and walks!

Our day trips will allow us to experience the many unique landscapes and activities that this area has to offer. We will begin our week with a lemon tour + cooking class, as well as a tasting of the region’s famous mozzarella – both while visiting the famous nearby towns of Ravello and Amalfi. We’ll take a day trip by private boat to the nearby island of Capri to see the chic sites of this beautiful “blue island” as well as visit to a winery with a tour and tasting of the wines that hail from this region. Others days will be filled with time to relax by the private pool, and nearby beach, as well as a hike on the Sentiero degli Dei, one of Amalfi’s most famous paths on our way to Positano for a lunch. We’ll end the week with a day at a 5* spa being pampered with treatments and time to relax before ending the week with another scrumptious meal.

This Luxury Pilates retreat in Le Marche will allow you way to recharge and recover from the daily grind whilst immersing yourself in Modern Pilates, fine cuisine and local wines. Your retreat home for the week, Villa Prat is a beautiful authentic Italian home, surrounded by immaculate gardens, large luxurious swimming pool and stunning views of the unspoiled Marche countryside. Whether you want to relax in a hammock, or have a swim in the pool, your every comfort will be catered for.

We help you find new depths in your Pilates practice and the inner connections between mind and body. With hands on tuition daily we guide you through a blissful week of practice, rest and relaxation and new experiences.

Open to all levels of experience, beginners will build a strong foundation in a focused atmosphere which will efficiently spring board you onto your next level. Those that are advanced in the practice will develop a keener eye and further develop and refine existing skills. Every exercise taught will generate a deeper awareness of your body, mind and general wellbeing. I wish you to leave the retreat relaxed, unwound and spoilt with great memories. But also with a clear idea of how you have developed and what to do next to keep it up.

Modern Pilates is Contemporary Pilates based partly on Joseph Pilate’s work but with modification to the exercises so that they fit with modern research with a heavy influence from physical therapy and bio-mechanics. Many of the exercises remain the same but allowances are made for injury rehabilitation and creativity by the teacher.

LuxPilates retreats are meant to be fun and rejuvenating, so we design our schedules with the aim to find the perfect balance between exercise and group activities allowing time for yourself. Just keep in mind: whatever the program, this is your week, so you’re encouraged to take the time you need, go at your own speed, and try to relax.

For a breathtaking and unforgettable sunshine and yoga holiday in Greece, come and join us on the magical island of Santorini. Santorini is known for its beautiful blue and white churches and surrounded by majestic views of volcanoes in the backdrop, the crystal clear Aegean sea and stunning sunsets. Get all the Vitamin D you could possibly need and more soaking-in the warm Greek summer sun.

The wonderful heart-warming people of Greece, the food, and stunning scenery make it a very special location to retreat to. There really is nothing else quite like Santorini so it is a must-do holiday destination. Combining it with yoga makes it an unforgettable experience. Morning yoga up by the church behind your accommodation with views to the Aegean Sea and evening yoga in the spacious yoga platform, dive deep into your own inner self and find the power from within. Release and let go of tension and feel energised and grounded from the fire of this volcanic island.

Everyone is welcome, yogis of all levels, and non-Yogis. You will be made to feel more than welcome by the lovely hotel staff and looked after by our AdventureYogi Team so you can totally switch off. Early booking is highly recommended as flight prices get expensive the closer we get to the date.

Your Greek holiday will include accommodation at a stunning boutique hotel, a wholesome organic breakfast of fruit, granola, meats, cheeses, yoghurt and more all freshly prepared, 3 hours of yoga per day, a 2 hour walking tour of the Santorini Coastline, and more. The food is all locally grown and absolutely delicious. Whether you’re looking to de-stress and unwind, or you’re more athletic, you’ll find what you’re looking for. For the adventurous, you can go diving, kayaking, sailing, surfing, and more. If you just want to relax, you can go swimming or snorkeling in the crystal clear blue waters, or lounge around on the beach or by the hotel pool.

AdventureYogi have been running yoga retreats and holidays for over 10 years and have carefully selected venues and senior yoga teachers to give you the best possible experience. Over the years we have listened to what their guests want and offer unique retreats to a highly professional standard.

Our premier retreat in Spain takes place in one of the Gastronomic capitals of the world. Join us for a luxurious stay filled with culture, sites, architecture, Michelin restaurants, spa day and more. For this exploration of the Basque country, EAT.PRAY.MOVE will feature Julian Hyzler from EASEL&LENS to combine a look at creative focus with art projects in sketching and “ifonography” (smartphone photography) throughout the week. Yoga and meditation classes will be held daily to prepare our bodies and minds to find a creative way of focus on our excursions through the Italian countryside. All levels are welcome, and participation is voluntary. Projects and classes will be offered as a completely exploratory, unintimidating and personal experience.

The retreat includes some amazing day-trips to the surrounding sites. We’ll begin the week with a walking tour of our home city of Bilbao including the Guggenheim Museum, then we’ll head to the famed wine region of Rioja for a winery visit, tasting, and pairing lunch. A day of site-seeing along the coast with an amazing bio-reserve will keep us connected to the landscape, and then we’ll enjoy a full day in San Sebastian with a food tour, time to see the old-city, funicular ride to a look out, and luxurious spa day. All this, alongside daily yoga and travel-journal creation classes, and punctuated by the amazing cuisine and a Michelin-starred meal.

By the women of Ibiza, for women from all over the world, this retreat space is a sanctuary, a meeting point for like minded souls in need of nurturing and nourishment. Connecting you with your inner-guidance system, tuning you into your intuition, your inner wise woman through yoga, meditation, breath work, yoga therapy, reiki and different forms of energy work, cranio-sacral therapy, massages and many types of therapeutic bodywork, holistic life and wellness coaching, spiritual counselling, sound healing, dance and creativity.

Embrace your power and creativity, learn to live life in true abundance, in health and harmony, in rhythm with your natural cycles as a woman, in touch with your feminine elements. We support you on this nourishing retreat for women to create a rhythm in your life that fills you with positive energy and enables you to live in harmony with yourself and world around you.

We educate you about your cycles and rhythms as a woman so that you can begin to embrace your emotional sides, your sensitivity, your creativity, to become more selective about what you invest your time and energy in and more receptive to life’s magical opportunities.

Our annual healthfulness retreat is the perfect place to recharge, reflect and refocus for 7 nights. Held in a beautiful beach front villa in Jambiani, a coastal village on the South East of the island, let the Indian Ocean’s waves wake you up in the morning and put you to sleep at night.

Eat the freshest locally grown produce from the village and taste the catch of the day from the fisherman from the turquoise sea. Start you day with a revitalising yoga practice and build your day with inspiring workshops, classes and trips. Or opt for quiet time journaling, painting or relaxing around the pool. Make heartfelt connections with fellow kindred spirits looking for that experience of a lifetime.

The town is a close-knit vibrant village made up of artisans and fisherman. A friendly, welcoming community, where you’ll here the say “Jambo” hello each time you pass a native. Along the beach you’ll find a string of boutique accommodations, hotels and restaurants catering for the now growing tourists or expat visitors.

Due to the moon’s rotation, during the day the tide will pull back as far as 200m from the beach and you’ll see women using that time to plant and lay their seaweed traps. Around 4pm when the Indian ocean waves returns, the local fisherman emerges with the daily catch. This can all be seen from the backyard of the 7 bedroom private villa we will call home during our time in Zanzibar.

The island has many influences, mainly African, Arabic and East Indian. This will be evident in the cuisine, dress and building designs. The official language spoken is Swahili, though most people speak English as Tanzania was a former British colony. Zanzibar is a muslim country and as open and liberal as the locals are, modesty is advised when dressing (cover shoulders and dress to the knee when outside, in the villa you may dress however you feel).

Namaste Yoga Safari is the first and so far the only yoga retreat in Namibia that offers Yoga while on Safari. Some people describe Namibia as a country that gets into your Soul. Namibia awakens your emotions and senses –with its stunning landscapes, endless space and fresh air. You will experience moments that wont be possible anywhere else, feeling re-connected with your soul! Its not just a holiday, yoga or a safari, it is an adventure of a lifetime. An unforgettable journey making your feel more peaceful and balanced. The Retreat will offer you the chance to enjoy nature in its purest form and deeply relax in unique surroundings.

We offer all inclusive 7 and 10 day Yoga Safari Retreats in Namibia, accommodating a maximum of 8 people and a minimum of 4 to keep it intimate and special. Yoga, nature and animal lovers looking to get in touch with their inner self will appreciate these Soulful Yoga Safari’s. This is a truly unique experience combining Yoga on Safari.

Celebrate Christmas in the sunshine this year…enjoy a week of relaxation, rejuvenation and wholesome celebrations, taking time to bring 2018 to a positive close or maybe to get a head start on New Year’s resolutions. In addition to our comprehensive yoga and Pilates programme, we will have seasonally themed meditations and some fun activities to celebrate the holidays, as well as a wonderful menu of healthy, delicious and nourishing food.

This Christmas we will be celebrating two of the finest retreat experiences for you on the sun-blessed island of Fuerteventura, with epic sand dunes rolling down into the turquoise ocean, breathtaking white-sand beaches and dramatic volcanic sunsets. Choose the Lotus Retreat for beach town boutique, or Surya Retreat for a rejuvenating escape.

These special retreats include all our amazing classes and activities plus some special seasonal extras, including additional meditations to cultivate peace, compassion and gratitude during this special, but often stressful, time of year and some festive activities to celebrate and enjoy some festive fun.

You will also be able to enjoy some special meals, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meals. This will be traditional with a healthy wellbeing twist and will change the way you look at festive food – delicious doesn’t have to mean unhealthy!